Removable cap button



Nov. 9, 1943. E. KuRzwEn. ETAL REMOVABLE CAP BUTTON Filed April 25, 1940 Z .a mw oz Tf ma VK w, m E Y B Margaret HMMzz/L ATTOQNEY Patented Nov. 9, f 1943 OFFICE 2,334,104 REMOVABLE CAP BUTTON Emily Kurzweil and Margaret H. McMann,

Whitestone, Long Island, N. Y.

Application April 25, 1940, Serial No. '331,550

Claims. (Cl. 2li-113) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in removable cap buttons.

The invention has for an object the construction of a button which lis characterized by a button base adapted to be secured on a garment or other object on which buttons are required, and a novel arrangement of a cap adapted to extend across the button base and be releasably secured thereon.

The invention contemplates a construction whereby the button base may be of any kind of material, in any size, shape or form, and adapted to be attached upon the garment or other object in various fashions. For example, by the use of stitches or various types of fastening and holding elements. The invention contemplates that the cap be plain or ornamental and readily adapted to be removed from the button base when the garment or other article is sent to the cleaners or laundry.

The invention contemplates various ways of attaching the cap to the button base. For example, cooperating fasteners between these parts may be provided, or screw elements, or other types of holding means.

' An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that by removing the caps of the buttons, one eliminates the possibility of these parts being lost when the articles are sent to laundry or dry cleaners. Dry cleaners are not responsible for any loss of buttons, buckles and the like. Very often, if the buttons are not removed, they are stolen, particularly if they are ornamental and desirable, or they become lost through handling, and it is very diicult to purchase buttons to match.

With the instant invention the cap portions are readily removable from the button bases. It takes considerable time to rip 0E the present day buttons of a dress, and then sew them on again, when the garment is returned. Many buttons are of considerable value as ornaments to a dress or other article, and with the inventive cap which may be changed and inter-changed in very little time, thus enabling any person to trim a garment in different Ways, there is a great advantage over present day buttons.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of a garment or article with a. button constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on l the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figui is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an edge elevational view of a button constructed according to a modification of this invention.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the back side of the cap of the button shown in Fig. 5, this view being taken on'the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.-

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a button constructed according to a modification of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary View of a portion of the button shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary View of another portion of the button shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of a button constructed in accordance with another modification of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line I 3-I3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view of a button constructed in accordance with another modification of the invention.

Figs. 15 and 16 are similar views to Fig. 10 but illustrating still further modified forms of the invention.

The removable cap button, according to this invention, includes a button base II) adapted to be secured on a garment II or other article. A cap I2 is provided for the button base I0 and extends across and partially or completely covers the base. A means is provided cooperative between the base I0 and the cap I2 for releasably attaching the cap I2 on the base I0.

The button base I0 may be constructed of any type of desirable material and be of any size or form. As illustrated, it is provided with several openings I3 through which threads I4 pass. These threads secure the button base I0 to the garment or article II. The cap I2 may be constructed of metal, composition material, or other ,desirable materials, and may be suitably ornamented to be attractive.

The cap I2 preferably should be of a size or shape to completely engage over or partially cover the base I0. Cooperative meansis provided between the base I and the cap I2 for releasibly'attaching/the cap I2 on the base I0. This cooperative/means comprises a snap fastener element I5 mounted upon the base I0 and engageable with a complementary snap fastener element I8 mounted upon the rear face of the cap I2.

When it is desired to send the article II to a laundry or cleaner, or if for any other reason it is desired to remove the buttons, it is merely necessary to remove the caps I2. Each base Ill is permitted to permanently remain on the article II. The cap I2, or a diilerent cap, may be replaced on the base I8 whenever desired. To remove the cap I2 it is merely necessaryjo apply a pulling pressure so that the snapastener elements I5 and I8 disengage. r'

In Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive a modified form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form in the provision of a means for preventing the cap from wobbling on the but-4 ton base. According to this form of the invenrequired that the cap be turned so that the threaded stud 28 is -unscre'wed from the threaded opening 28'.

In Figs. 12 and 13 another form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior forms inthe construction of the cap. In accordance with this form of the invention the removable cap button comprises a button base formed with openings 3| by which it may be attached with threads to a garment or other article. A cap 32 is extended across the button base 30. This cap 32 has resilient edge portions 32* which resiliently engage upon the edge portions of the button base 30. This resiliency is depended. upon to releasibly connect the cap 32 upon the button base 30.

In Fig. 14 another form of the invention is disclosed which. is similar to the form shown in Fig. 13, diering only in the fact that an ornation there is a button base III which is adapted base III and cap I8 for steadying the cap I8 on the base. This means comprises several leaf springs 20 mounted upon oneV of the Iparts and engaging against the otherof the parts..

Specically, the springs 20 are mounted upon the cap I8 and their free ends bearing against the button base I0. A means is.provided for varying the degree of tension with which the springs 20 engage the button base I0. 'I'his means includes a member 2l rotatively mounted upon the fastener element I9 and provided with several radiating fingers 22 which engage beneath the spring 20. 'Ihese fingers 22 serve tol hold portions of the spring 20 in intimate contact T'with the button base III.

A set screw 23 is threadedly engaged through the member 2| and abuts the cap I8 for holding the member 2l in various turned positions and so indirectly holds the fingers 22 in various positions along the lengths of the springs 20. To

' increase the tension with which the springs 20 will engage the button base I0 the set screw 23 must be loosened and then the member 2| turned so that the iingers 22 wedge in between the base portions of the springs 28 and so pry outwards the free ends of the springs 20. Then lthe set screw 23 is reset.

In other respects this form of vthe invention is similar to the previous form and like parts may be identified by like reference numerals.

In Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive another modied form is disclosed, distinguishing from the previous forms essentially in the construction and arrangement of the means cooperative between the base and cap for releasibly attaching the cap on the base. Specifically, the button base 25 is adapted to be secured to .a garment. 'I'his button base is illustrated having openings 28 by which it may be secured by threads to the garment. A cap 21 extends across the button base 25. This cap 2l is provided with a threaded stud 28 which threadedly engages into a threaded opening 28 formed in the button base.

In Fig. 9 the removable cap button is shown in its normal position.

mental element 3l is m unted-upon the outer face of the cap 32 for decorative purposes. This ornamental element 34 may be made from metal, composition material, or other materials.

In Fig. 15 the button base 25 is illustrated with aloop 35 for attaching the same to a garment and in Fig. 16, the button base 25 is illustrated with a stem 35' which is formed with a transverse opening 38 for securing the button base to the garment or to other places. These button bases are provided with snap fastener elements 31 adapted to receive complementary snap fasy teners of a detachable cap.'

It is to be understood that the button base membermay be of any size and shape, the same or diiIerent size from the attachable cap, and may befsecured to a garment or article such as belts, or other wearing devices as an accessory, by stitching, stamping, cementing, etc. The snap fastener portion may be an integral part of the base or cap or attached thereto in any suitable mannen This invention has many advantages and unlimited uses over the present attached buttons, since the cap portion of the button may be removed at willand the garments cleaned without fear that the face of the button will be damaged during laundering and will eliminate the necessity of ripping the ybuttons ofl the garments before sending it to a cleaner. When the button is used as an accessory or ornament, the cap may be interchanged with any design or color.

To remove the cap 21 it is 75 In order to avoid the unpleasant task of ripping buttons off and then sewing them on a garment, chances are taken to clean garments in explosive liquids often with serious results,'even loss of lives. This practice will be discouraged with the present invention.

While we have' illustrated and described ythe preferred embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming without the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A removable cap button, comprising a button base adapted to be secured on a garment, a cap adapted to be extended across the front face of said button base, a centrally located means arranged between said base and cap for releasibly holding said cap in position on said base, means disposed between said cap and 'base for holding said cap from wobbling on said base.

comprising leaf springs having one of their ends securely mounted on said cap and their free ends engaging said base, and means for causing said springs to more rigidly engage said button base when through continued use said springs fail to properly seat against said base.

2. A removable cap button, comprising a 'button base adapted to be secured on a garment, a cap adapted to be extended across the front face of said button base, a centrally located means arranged between said base and cap for releasibly holding said cap in position on said base, means disposed lbetween said cap and base for holding said cap from wobbling on said base, comprising leaf springs having one of their ends securely mounted on said cap and their free ends engaging said base, and means for causing said springs to more rigidly engage said button base when through continued use said springs fail to properly seat against said base, comprising a member rotatively mounted on said cap, finger portions projecting from said member and disposed between the adjacent faces of said spring and cap, and means for holding said member in various turned positions with relation to said cap, whereby said finger portions may be made to engage said springs closer to their points of connection with said cap to extend the free ends of said springs to more rigidly bear against said base.

3. A removable cap button, comprising a button .base adapted to be secured on a garment, a cap adapted to be extended across the front face of said button base, a centrally located means arranged between said base and cap for releasibly holding said cap in position on said base, means disposed between said cap and base for holding said cap from wobbling on said base, comprising leaf springs having one of their ends securely mounted on said cap and their free ends engaging said base, and means for causing said springs to more rigidly engage said button base when through continued use said springs fail to properly seat against said Ibase, comprising a member rotatively mounted on said ca'p, linger portions propecting from said member and disposed between the adjacent faces. of said spring and cap, and means for holding said member in various turned positions with relation to said cap, whereby said finger portions may be made to engage said springs closer to their point of connection with said cap to extend the free ends of said springs to more rigidly bear against said base, comprising a set screw engaging through said member and abutting said cap.

4. A removable cap lbutton comprising a button base adapted to be secured on wearing apparel, a cap to fit over said button base, snap fastener elements consisting of stem and socket cooperative between said cap and base for releasibly attaching said cap on said base with said stem being of a length to hold said snap fastener elements and the cap and base to which these elements are attached slightly spaced to facilitate separating said cap and base when desired, and elements between said snap fastener elements holding them against Wobbling.

5. A button base which is secured to and remains permanently attached to a garment in the same manner as an ordinary button, a snap fastener element attached to or integrally formed on said button base, a removable cap for engagement on said button base, a cooperative snap fastener element attached to or integrally formed on said cap and engageable with the snap fastener element on said button base permitting said cap to be removed from said base at will, said cooperative fastener elements, comprising a stem and socket with said stem being of a length to hold said snap fastener elements and the cap and base to which these elements are attached slightly spaced to facilitate separating said cap and base when desired, and elements between said snap fastener elements holding them against wobbling, comprising projecting knobs, ribs, ridges, rods or segments formed on the face of one of said fastener elements and bearing against the adjacent face of the other of said elements.

EMILY KURZWEIL. MARGARET H. MCMANN. 

